Game system, processing method, and information storage medium

ABSTRACT

The game system includes a processor including hardware. The processor performs a reception process of receiving coordinates of a touching operation in a touch screen as touching operation coordinates when the touching operation is performed by a player with respect to the touch screen; a virtual touch area process of associating the touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch area set in the touch screen as an area smaller than the touch screen with mapping coordinates on the touch screen; when the touching operation is performed with respect to the virtual touch area, an input process of setting the mapping coordinates as input coordinates, assuming that the touching operation is performed with respect to the mapping coordinates associated with the touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch area in which the touching operation is performed; and a game process based on the input coordinates.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of International Patent ApplicationNo. PCT/JP2019/050905, having an international filing date of Dec. 25,2019, which designated the United States, the entirety of which isincorporated herein by reference. Japanese Patent Application No.2018-247138 filed on Dec. 28, 2018 is also incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a game system, a processing method, aninformation storage medium, and the like.

In a game that can be played on a terminal device, such as a smartphone,a tablet PC, or a portable game device, the player performs a touchingoperation on a touch screen of a touch panel display to input operationsfor playing a game. For example, the technique disclosed in JapaneseUnexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-126512 is known as apreviously-known technique of a game system that performs a game processbased on a touching operation on a touch screen. The game system ofJapanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-126512detects the operation amount and the operation direction in the slideoperation input from the reference position to the instruction positionof the touching operation input. Then, a process of correcting theoperation amount is performed based on the distance from the referenceposition to the end of the region where the slide operation input isperformed. Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application PublicationNo. 2014-89713 discloses a method of setting a virtual input area for apen-shaped mouse, and moving a mouse pointer displayed in a displaydevice in accordance with the movement of the pen-shaped mouse when theuser moves the pen-shaped mouse in the virtual input area.

In recent years, the size of the touch screen of a touch panel displaytends to increase. This increase in touch screen size has posed aproblem that the player must largely move a finger to touch the entiretouch screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a gamesystem according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a problem of a touching operationon a large-size touch screen.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a touching operation on a virtual toucharea.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a process for associating touchingoperation coordinates with mapping coordinates.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of an example of a game process usingmapping coordinates as input coordinates.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of an example of a game process usingmapping coordinates as input coordinates.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of an example of a game process usingmapping coordinates as input coordinates.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a notification process for notifying aplayer of the position of mapping coordinates.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processes of the presentembodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process of switching an inputmode.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process for operation inputoutside the area.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view regarding switching to a normal inputmode by operation input outside the area.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view regarding a pause of game progress byoperation input outside the area.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view regarding a process of taking ascreenshot by operation input outside the area.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a process in which a game process is changeddepending on whether the operation given was touching operation in avirtual touch area or operation input outside the area.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view of a process of changing a virtual toucharea.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view of a process of changing a virtual toucharea.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view of a process of changing a virtual toucharea.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a process of changing a virtualtouch area.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining a process of setting touchingoperation coordinates as input coordinates at a timing when a touchingoperation part is separated.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view regarding identification display of avirtual touch area.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view regarding identification display of avirtual touch area.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, orexamples, for implementing different features of the provided subjectmatter. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to belimiting. In addition, the disclosure may repeat reference numeralsand/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for thepurpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate arelationship between the various embodiments and/or configurationsdiscussed. Further, when a first element is described as being“connected” or “coupled” to a second element, such description includesembodiments in which the first and second elements are directlyconnected or coupled to each other, and also includes embodiments inwhich the first and second elements are indirectly connected or coupledto each other with one or more other intervening elements in between.

Exemplary embodiments are described below. Note that the followingexemplary embodiments do not in any way limit the scope of the contentdefined by the claims laid out herein. Note also that all of theelements described in the present embodiment should not necessarily betaken as essential elements.

1. Game System

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a gamesystem (terminal device, game device, image generation device) accordingto the present embodiment. The game system according to the presentembodiment is not limited to the structure illustrated in FIG. 1 , andcan be modified in various ways including omitting some of itscomponents or adding another component.

An operation section 160 is used by a player (user) to input varioustypes of operation input information (input information). The operationsection 160 can be implemented by, for example, an operation button, adirection designating key, a joystick, or the like. A touch paneldisplay 190 also serves as the operation section 160.

An image capturing section 162 captures an image of a target object, andis implemented by an image sensor such as a CCD or a CMOS sensor, and anoptical system constituted of a focus lens or the like.

A storage section 170 stores therein various types of information. Thestorage section 170 functions as a work area for a processing section100, a communication section 196, and the like. The storage section 170stores a program and data required for executing the program. Thefunction of the storage section 170 can be implemented by asemiconductor memory (DRAM, SRAM, VRAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), asolid state drive (SSD), or the like. The storage section 170 includes avirtual touch area information storage section 176, and a renderingbuffer 178. The virtual touch area information storage section 176stores information regarding a virtual touch area. For example, thevirtual touch area information storage section 176 stores information onthe position, size, or shape of the virtual touch area. The renderingbuffer 178 is, for example, a frame buffer or a work buffer that iscapable of storing image information in a unit of pixels.

An information storage medium 180 is a computer-readable medium, andstores a program, data, and the like. The information storage medium 180can be implemented by an optical disc (DVD, BD, CD), an HDD, asemiconductor memory (ROM), or the like. The processing section 100performs various processes according to the present embodiment based ona program (data) stored in the information storage medium 180. Thus, theinformation storage medium 180 stores therein a program for causing acomputer (a device including an input device, the processing section,the storage section, and an output section) to function as the sectionsaccording to the present embodiment (a program for causing a computer toperform processes of the sections).

The touch panel display 190 outputs an image generated according to thepresent embodiment, and can be implemented by a liquid crystal display(LCD), an organic electroluminescence display, or the like having atouch panel. For example, the touch panel display 190 can be implementedby a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display,and a touch panel integrally formed in the display. Examples of touchpanel system include a resistance film system (4-wire system, 5-wiresystem), a capacitive coupling system, an ultrasonic surface acousticwave system, an infrared scanning system, and the like. The touch paneldisplay 190 is classified into a one-point detection type that candetect only one touch position (contact position) at the same time, anda multiple-point detection type that can detect a plurality of points atthe same time. A sound output section 192 outputs sound generatedaccording to the present embodiment, and the function thereof can beimplemented by a speaker, a headphone, or the like.

An interface (I/F) section 194 performs an interface process for aportable information storage medium 195. The function of the I/F section194 can be implemented by an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC) or the like for the I/F process. The portable information storagemedium 195 is a storage device that stores various types of informationfrom the player, and holds the information without power supply. Theportable information storage medium 195 can be implemented by anintegrated circuit (IC) card (memory card), a universal serial bus (USB)memory, a magnetic card, or the like.

The communication section 196 communicates with external apparatuses(other devices) through a wired or wireless network. The function of thecommunication section 196 can be implemented by a communication ASIC,hardware such as a communication processor, or a communication firmware.

The program (data) for causing the computer to function as the sectionsaccording to the present embodiment may be distributed to theinformation storage medium 180 (or the storage section 170) from aninformation storage medium of a server (host device) through a networkand the communication section 196. The scope of the present embodimentcan include such a configuration where the information storage medium ofthe server is used.

The processing section 100 (processor) performs a reception process, avirtual touch area process, an input process, a game process, a displayprocess, or a sound process based on operation input information fromthe operation section 160, a program, and the like.

The processes according to the present embodiment performed by sectionsof the processing section 100 can be implemented by a processor(processor including hardware). For example, the processes according tothe present embodiment can be implemented by a processor that operatesbased on information such as a program and a memory that stores theinformation such as the program. For example, the processor mayimplement the functions of the sections in discrete hardware or inintegrated hardware. For example, the processor may include hardware,and the hardware may include at least one of a circuit that processes adigital signal and a circuit that processes an analog signal. Forexample, the processor may include one or a plurality of circuit devices(such as an IC) or one or a plurality of circuit elements (such as aresistor or a capacitor) mounted on a circuit board. For example, theprocessor may be a central processing unit (CPU). However, the processoris not limited to the CPU, and various processors such as a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP) may be used.The processor may be a hardware circuit such as an ASIC. The processormay include an amplifier circuit, a filter circuit, or the like thatprocesses an analog signal. The memory (storage section 170) may be asemiconductor memory such as a SRAM or DRAM, or may be a register.Furthermore, the memory may be a magnetic storage device such as a harddisk device (HDD) or may be an optical storage device such as an opticaldisc device. For example, the memory stores therein a computer-readablecommand, and the processes of the sections of the processing section 100are implemented with the processor executing the command. This commandmay be a set of commands forming a program, or may be a command forinstructing an operation to a hardware circuit of the processor.

The processing section 100 includes a reception section 102, a virtualtouch area processing section 104, an input processing section 106, agame processing section 108, a display processing section 120, and asound processing section 130. As described above, the processesaccording to the present embodiment performed by these sections may beimplemented by a processor (or a processor and a memory). Variousmodifications may be made with some of these components (sections)omitted, or another component added.

The reception section 102 performs a reception process of various typesof information such as operation information of the player. The virtualtouch area processing section 104 performs various processes in relationto the virtual touch area. The input processing section 106 performs aninput process in relation to various types of information such asoperation information. The details of the processes performed by thesesections are described later.

The game processing section 108 performs various game processes forallowing the player to play the game. Examples of the game processesinclude a process of starting the game when a game start condition issatisfied, a process of making the started game progress, a process ofending the game when a game end condition is satisfied, and a process ofcalculating a game score.

The display processing section 120 performs a process of displaying animage in the touch panel display 190. For example, the displayprocessing section 120 performs a rendering process based on the resultsof various processes performed by the processing section 100 to generatean image, and displays the image in the touch panel display 190. Forexample, the display processing section 120 performs a rendering processwith respect to the rendering buffer 178 to generate a game image. Thegame image may be a three-dimensional image (pseudo three-dimensionalimage) or a two-dimensional image.

The sound processing section 130 performs a sound generation processbased on the results of various processes performed by the processingsection 100. More specifically, the sound processing section 130generates a song (music, BGM), a sound effect, or a voice and outputsthem through the sound output section 192.

The game system according to the present embodiment includes thereception section 102, the virtual touch area processing section 104,the input processing section 106, and the game processing section 108,as illustrated in FIG. 1 .

When a touching operation is performed by a player with respect to thetouch screen of the touch panel display 190, the reception section 102performs a process of receiving the coordinates of the touchingoperation in the touch screen as touching operation coordinates. Forexample, the coordinates of the position of the touching operation inthe touch screen are output from the touch panel display 190. The touchscreen is a screen of the touch panel display 190 and serves as a targetscreen on which the touching operation is performed. The receptionsection 102 monitors the coordinates of the position of the touchingoperation, and receives the coordinates of the position of the touchingoperation when the touching operation is performed as the touchingoperation coordinates. The touching operation coordinates are, forexample, coordinates in the screen coordinate system of the touchscreen.

The virtual touch area processing section 104 performs a process ofassociating the touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch areawith mapping coordinates on the touch screen. The virtual touch area isan area set in the touch screen as an area smaller than the touchscreen. The virtual touch area has an area of, for example, ½ or less ofthe area of the touch screen. The virtual touch area is set in, forexample, the lower right side or the lower left side of the touchscreen. For example, the virtual touch area is set as an area includinga lower right corner portion or a lower left corner portion of the touchscreen. The virtual touch area processing section 104 performs a processof mapping the touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch areaon the mapping coordinates on the touch screen. This mapping process maybe performed by a predetermined calculation process, or by using amapping table, which uses the touching operation coordinates in thevirtual touch area as input and uses the mapping coordinates as output.

When the touching operation is performed with respect to the virtualtouch area, the input processing section 106 sets the mappingcoordinates as input coordinates, assuming that the touching operationis performed with respect to the mapping coordinates associated with thetouching operation coordinates in the virtual touch area on which thetouching operation is performed. More specifically, in a normal touchpanel operation, when a touching operation is performed with respect tothe touch screen, the touching operation coordinates, which are thecoordinates of the position where the touching operation is performed,are set as the input coordinates. In contrast, in the presentembodiment, it is assumed that the touching operation is performed notwith respect to the touching operation coordinates that are thecoordinates of the position where the touching operation is actuallyperformed, but with respect to the position of the mapping coordinatesthat are associated with the touching operation coordinates;accordingly, the mapping coordinates are set as the input coordinates.Then, the game processing section 108 performs a game process based onthe input coordinates. More specifically, the game process is performedby regarding the mapping coordinates as the input coordinates. Forexample, the game processing section 108 performs various gameprocesses, such as a game progress process, a selection process forselection items in a menu, an option, or the like, a game commandprocess, a character control process, a game start process, a game endprocess, or a game score calculation process, based on the inputcoordinates, which are the mapping coordinates. For example, the gameprocessing section 108 performs a game process using the inputcoordinates (i.e., mapping coordinates) as operation information. Withthis operation, the player can perform various operations for playingthe game by touching the virtual touch area.

When a touching operation is performed with respect to the virtual toucharea, the virtual touch area processing section 104 performs anotification process for notifying the player of the position of themapping coordinates associated with the touching operation coordinatesin the virtual touch area. For example, the virtual touch areaprocessing section 104 performs a notification process for allowing theplayer to visually recognize the mapping coordinates corresponding tothe touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch area. Forexample, the virtual touch area processing section 104 performs anotification process of displaying a display object, such as an effect,at the position of the mapping coordinates. In this case, an animationprocess for the object to be displayed, such as an effect, may beperformed.

Further, the input processing section 106 sets the mapping coordinatesas the input coordinates in a virtual input mode, and sets the touchingoperation coordinates as the input coordinates in a normal input mode.For example, the virtual input mode is the first input mode and thenormal input mode is the second input mode. In the present embodiment,it is possible to switch between a virtual input mode in which thevirtual touch area is used as the touching operation area and a normalinput mode in which the entire touch screen is used as the touchingoperation area. When the player performs a touching operation withrespect to the virtual touch area in the virtual input mode, variousprocesses such as a game process are performed using the mappingcoordinates associated with the touching operation coordinates as theinput coordinates. When the player performs a touching operation withrespect to a touch screen in the normal input mode, various processessuch as a game process are performed using the touching operationcoordinates as the input coordinates.

The input processing section 106 switches between the virtual input modeand the normal input mode according to the game status. The game statusincludes a game progress status, a gameplay status based on theoperation history of the player, the game score status such as acquiredgame points, the game level status, the game map/environment status, orthe statuses of characters used by the player in the game. For example,when the game progress status of the player is the first progressstatus, the input mode is set to the normal input mode; however, whenthe game is moved from the first progress status to the second progressstatus, the input mode is switched from the normal input mode to thevirtual input mode. As a result, the player is allowed to perform a gameoperation through a touching operation with respect to the virtual toucharea. Further, when it is determined that the player frequently performsthe touching operation with respect to the virtual touch area based onthe gameplay status such as the operation history of the player, theinput mode is switched to the virtual input mode. In this case, such aninput mode switching process may be performed by machine learning, suchas an AI (Artificial Intelligence) process using a neural network.Alternatively, it is also possible to permit the player to perform gameoperation input in the virtual input mode when the player achieves apredetermined game score, when the player achieves a predetermined gamelevel, or when the player uses a specific character.

When the touching operation is performed outside the virtual touch area,the input processing section 106 determines that the touching operationperformed outside the virtual touch area is “operation input outside thearea”. More specifically, when the touching operation is performed in anarea within the virtual touch area, the mapping coordinatescorresponding to the touching operation coordinates are set as inputcoordinates; however, when the touching operation is performed in anarea outside the virtual touch area, there are no mapping coordinatescorresponding to the touching operation coordinates. Therefore, such atouching operation performed outside the area is determined as“operation input outside the area”, and, for example, various processes,such as a game process, according to operation input outside the areaare performed.

For example, the input processing section 106 assigns the operationinput outside the area to a predetermined operation performed by theplayer. For example, the input processing section 106 assigns theoperation input outside the area to a predetermined operation performedby the player in the game. With this configuration, when the playerperforms a touching operation outside the virtual touch area, it isdetermined that the predetermined operation, to which the operationinput outside the area is assigned, has been performed. For example, asdescribed later, the operation input outside the area is assigned to anoperation of pausing the game progress, an operation of taking ascreenshot, or an operation of switching the game mode. This enables theplayer to pause the game, take a screenshot of the game image, andswitch the game mode by performing the operation input outside the area.It is also possible to assign the operation input outside the area to anoperation of activating a special move or skill of the character used bythe player. This enables the player to cause the character to perform aspecial move or skill by performing the operation input outside the areawhile performing a normal game operation, such as control of the actionof the character or menu selection by a touching operation in thevirtual touch area.

Further, the predetermined operation assigned to the operation inputoutside the area may be a combined operation of a plurality ofoperations. For example, generally, it is determined that thepredetermined operation is performed when the player performs a seriesof a plurality of operations; however, when the player performs theoperation input outside the area, the operation is regarded as ashortcut operation of the series of a plurality of operations. Forexample, when the player needs to perform a series of a plurality ofoperations for setting options in the option menu, the shortcutoperations of the series of a plurality of operations are assigned tothe operation input outside the area.

It is also possible to allow the player to freely set the predeterminedoperation to be assigned to the operation input outside the area, forexample, in the option menu in the game. For example, it is possible toallow the player to preset the action in the game when the operationinput outside the area is performed.

Further, when the operation input outside the area is performed, theinput processing section 106 switches the virtual input mode in whichthe mapping coordinates are set as the input coordinates to the normalinput mode in which the touching operation coordinates are set as theinput coordinates. For example, in the virtual input mode, the playerperforms a game operation by performing a touching operation in thevirtual touch area. Then, in this virtual input mode, when the playerperforms the operation input outside the area by touching an areaoutside the virtual touch area, the virtual input mode is switched tothe normal input mode. As a result, when the player performs a touchingoperation in the touch screen, the game process is performed in whichthe touching operation coordinates on the touch screen become the inputcoordinates.

Further, the game processing section 108 performs a process of pausingthe game progress when the operation input outside the area isperformed. For example, when the player performs a touching operation inthe virtual touch area in the virtual input mode, the game operation isperformed and the game proceeds. When the player performs the operationinput outside the area in this virtual input mode, the game progress ispaused. For example, when the player has to do something other than thegameplay, or when the player wants to take a sufficient time to performanother operation, the game progress can be paused by performing theoperation input outside the area. Then, when the operation input outsidethe area is performed again or when another predetermined operation suchas a touching operation in the virtual touch area is performed, thesuspended game is restarted.

Further, the game processing section 108 performs a process ofgenerating a screenshot of the game image when the operation inputoutside the area is performed. For example, when the player performs atouching operation in the virtual touch area in the virtual input mode,the game proceeds, and when the player performs the operation inputoutside the area when the game image is displayed in the touch screen, ascreenshot of the current game image (game screen) is generated. Thisenables the player to take a screenshot by performing a simpleoperation, i.e., the operation input outside the area, while the game isbeing in progress.

In addition, when a touching operation is performed in the virtual toucharea, the game processing section 108 performs a first game process byusing the mapping coordinates as input coordinates. In contrast, whenthe operation input outside the area is performed, a second gameprocess, which is different from the first game process, is performedusing the touching operation coordinates outside the area as the inputcoordinates. In this manner, the game operation in the first gameprocess is performed by the touching operation in the virtual toucharea, so that the game proceeds. In contrast, when the operation inputoutside the area is performed by the player, the game operation in thesecond game process different from the first game process is performedusing the touching operation coordinates outside the area as the inputcoordinates, so that the game proceeds.

Further, the virtual touch area processing section 104 performs aprocess of changing the position, size, or shape of the virtual toucharea in the touch screen. For example, a process of changing theposition of the virtual touch area in the screen coordinate system ofthe touch screen, the size of the virtual touch area, the shape of theboundary of the virtual touch area, or the like, is performed. Forexample, it is arranged such that the player can change the position,size, or shape of the virtual touch area. For example, the position,size, or shape of the virtual touch area is changed according to thesetting of the player on the option setting menu or the like. Forexample, when the player performs setting input for his/her dominantarm, the position, size, or shape of the virtual touch area is changedaccording to the setting input for the dominant arm. For example, whenthe player is right-handed, the position of the virtual touch area ischanged to fit for a right-handed person; when the player isleft-handed, the position of the virtual touch area is changed to fitfor a left-handed person. Alternatively, it is also possible to enlargeor reduce the size of the virtual touch area based on the setting inputby the player, or change the shape of the virtual touch area accordingto the setting input. It may also be arranged such that, when thepredetermined change condition is satisfied, the position, size, orshape of the virtual touch area in the touch screen is changed. Forexample, when the screen display is switched from vertical display tohorizontal display or switched from horizontal display to verticaldisplay as a result of detection of the orientation of the terminaldevice in which the game system is performed, it is determined that thepredetermined change condition is satisfied and the position, size, orshape of the virtual touch area in the touch screen is changed.

Further, the virtual touch area processing section 104 changes thevirtual touch area according to the game status. For example, thevirtual touch area processing section 104 changes the position, size, orshape of the virtual touch area according to the game progress status,the gameplay status based on the operation history of the player, thegame score status, the game level status, the game map/environmentstatus, or the statuses of characters used by the player in the game.For example, in a game status in which a detailed game operation isrequired, the size of the virtual touch area is increased, and in a gamestatus in which the game can be played by a rough operation, the size ofthe virtual touch area is reduced. It is also possible to set theposition of the virtual touch area to fit for the operation history ofthe player, or set the size of the virtual touch area according to theoperation history of the player. Alternatively, it is also possible tochange the size or shape of the virtual touch area depending on whetherthe game score of the player is low or high or whether the game level ofthe player is low or high. Alternatively, it is also possible to changethe position, size, or shape of the virtual touch area according to thetypes or sizes of the characters used by the player.

Further, after the touching operation is performed on the virtual toucharea, the input processing section 106 sets the mapping coordinatescorresponding to the touching operation coordinates at the timing whenthe touching operation part of the player leaves the touch screen as theinput coordinates. For example, when the touching operation is performedon the virtual touch area, the touching operation coordinates at thetiming are not used; instead, the mapping coordinates corresponding tothe touching operation coordinates at the timing when the touchingoperation part such as a finger or the like of the player leaves thetouch screen are used as the input coordinates in executing the gameprocess. In this case, for example, the mapping coordinatescorresponding to the touching operation coordinates at the timing whenthe touching operation part leaves the touch screen are stored in thestorage section 170 (virtual touch area information storage section176). Thereafter, it is possible to set the mapping coordinates storedin the storage section 170 as the input coordinates by a predeterminedoperation of the player, such as re-tapping.

The virtual touch area processing section 104 also performsidentification display of the virtual touch area in the touch screen.For example, identification display of the virtual touch area isperformed so that the player can visually recognize the boundary or thelike of the virtual touch area. For example, it is possible to draw apredetermined type of line on the boundary of the virtual touch area, ordisplay a display object such as a marker to enable the player torecognize the boundary of the virtual touch area. Alternatively, it ispossible to perform identification display in which the virtual toucharea has a color tone and a luminance different from those in otherregions in the touch screen.

2. Method According to the Present Embodiment

Next, a method according to the present embodiment will be described indetail. The following describes a case where a smartphone is mainly usedas an example of the terminal device to which the game system of thepresent embodiment is applied; however, the terminal device to which thegame system of the present embodiment is applied is not limited to thesmartphone and may be a portable game device, a portable communicationterminal such as a tablet PC, or the like.

2.1 Virtual Touch Area

In FIG. 2 , the player plays a game while holding a terminal device 10,such as a smartphone, in his/her right hand. The terminal device 10includes a touch panel display 190, and the player performs a gameoperation by touching a touch screen SC of the touch panel display 190.Specifically, in FIG. 2 , the player extends his/her thumb and touchesthe vicinity of the center of the touch screen SC. For example, in thecase that a player plays a game in a train, it is necessary to perform atouching operation as shown in FIG. 2 with his/her right hand whileholding a strap in the train with his/her left hand, which makes thegame operation difficult. In particular, in recent years, the size ofthe touch screen SC of the touch panel display 190 tends to increase.This increase in size of the touch screen SC has posed a problem thatthe player has to move his/her finger largely in order to touch theentire part of the touch screen. As a solution to this problem, forexample, an easy access function has been known. The function works suchthat the screen display is lowered by double-tapping the home button,thus allowing the player to easily touch the upper portion, which isusually difficult to touch. This easy access function, however, requiresa complicated operation in use and also poses a problem that the playercannot touch the lower part of the screen when the easy access functionis used, as the lower part is hidden by the function.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , a virtualtouch area VTA is set in the touch screen SC of the terminal device 10.The terminal device 10 is a terminal device for implementing the gamesystem of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 . The terminal device10 is, for example, a smartphone, a portable game device, or a tabletPC. The virtual touch area VTA is set in the touch screen SC and itssize is smaller than that of the touch screen SC. The virtual touch areaVTA is set as a virtual area different from the normal touch area of thetouch screen SC. In FIG. 3 , the virtual touch area VTA is positioned inthe lower right portion of the touch screen SC. For example, when theplayer is right-handed, the game operation is believed to be performedwith the right hand; therefore, it is desirable to set the virtual toucharea VTA in the lower right portion of the touch screen SC asillustrated. In contrast, when the player is left-handed, the gameoperation is believed to be performed with the left hand; therefore, itis desirable to set the virtual touch area VTA in the lower left portionof the touch screen SC.

When the player performs a touching operation with respect to the touchscreen SC, the game system of the present embodiment receives thecoordinates on the touch screen SC on which the touching operation isperformed as touching operation coordinates TC. More specifically, thecoordinates of the touching operation position are acquired as thetouching operation coordinates TC. The touching operation coordinates TCare, for example, coordinates in the screen coordinate system of thetouch screen SC. In one example, the origin of the screen coordinatesystem is set in a lower right portion or the lower right corner of thetouch screen SC.

In the present embodiment, as indicated by A1 in FIG. 3 , a process ofassociating the touching operation coordinates TC in the virtual toucharea VTA with mapping coordinates MC on the touch screen SC isperformed. For example, a mapping process for converting the touchingoperation coordinates TC in the virtual touch area VTA into the mappingcoordinates MC is performed.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3 , when a touching operation using a finger suchas a thumb is performed on the virtual touch area VTA, it is determinedthat the touching operation is performed with respect to the mappingcoordinates MC corresponding to the touching operation coordinates TC inthe virtual touch area VTA in which the touching operation is performed,and the mapping coordinates MC are set as the input coordinates. Then,the game process is performed based on the input coordinates. Morespecifically, operation information corresponding to the mappingcoordinates MC, which are the input coordinates, is input, therebyexecuting various game processes.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a process for associating touchingoperation coordinates with mapping coordinates. In FIG. 4 , touchingoperation coordinates TC1 of the virtual touch area VTA are associatedwith mapping coordinates MC1, and touching operation coordinates TC2 areassociated with mapping coordinates MC2. More specifically, the touchingoperation coordinates TC1 and TC2 in the virtual touch area VTA aremapped as the mapping coordinates MC1 and MC2. For example, if assumingthat the length in the X direction (the horizontal direction) and thelength in the Y direction (the vertical direction) of the virtual toucharea VTA are represented by a and b, respectively, and the length in theX direction and the length in the Y direction of the touch screen SC arerepresented by c and d, respectively, a and b serve as parametersrepresenting the size of the virtual touch area VTA, and c and d serveas parameters representing the size of the touch screen SC. Further, thelower right corner portion of FIG. 4 is referred to as the coordinateorigin (0, 0), and the X and Y coordinates of the touching operationcoordinates TC1 are referred to as XT1 and YT1, respectively, and the Xand Y coordinates of the touching operation coordinates TC2 are referredto as XT2 and YT2, respectively. Further, the X and Y coordinates of themapping coordinates MC1 are referred to as XM1 and YM1, respectively,and the X and Y coordinates of the mapping coordinates MC2 are referredto as XM2 and YM2, respectively. In this case, the touching operationcoordinates TC1 and TC2 are converted into the mapping coordinates MC1and MC2, for example, by the following conversion formulas (1), (2),(3), and (4).

$\begin{matrix}{{{XM}\; 1} = {\left( {c/a} \right) \times {XT}\; 1}} & (1) \\{{{YM}\; 1} = {\left( {d/b} \right) \times {YT}\; 1}} & (2) \\{{{XM}\; 2} = {\left( {c/a} \right) \times {XT}\; 2}} & (3) \\{{{YM}\; 2} = {\left( {d/b} \right) \times {YT}\; 2}} & (4)\end{matrix}$

In this case, the touching operation coordinates TC1 and TC2 can beconverted into the mapping coordinates MC1 and MC2 by using theparameters a and b representing the size of the virtual touch area VTAand the parameters c and d representing the size of the touch screen SC.For example, the size of the virtual touch area VTA provided in thetouch screen SC is set by the parameters a and b. Then, the parameters cand d are set based on the screen size of the terminal device 10 used bythe player. In this manner, the touching operation coordinates TC1 andTC2 can be converted into the mapping coordinates MC1 and MC2 by theconversion formulas (1) to (4).

The process of associating the touching operation coordinates within thevirtual touch area with the mapping coordinates is not limited to thoseusing the conversion formulas (1) to (4). For example, the process ofassociating the touching operation coordinates with the mappingcoordinates may be performed using calculation formulas other than theformulas (1) to (4). Alternatively, a mapping table in which thetouching operation coordinates serve as input and the mappingcoordinates serve as output may be used, and the process of associatingthe touching operation coordinates with the mapping coordinates may beperformed using this mapping table.

Further, in the present embodiment, the game process is performed byusing the mapping coordinates, which are associated with the touchingoperation coordinates on the touch screen, as the input coordinates.

For example, in FIG. 5 , a game process for selecting a game menu isperformed using the mapping coordinates as input coordinates.Specifically, in FIG. 5 , the touching operation coordinates TC1, TC2,TC3, TC4 in the virtual touch area VTA are associated with the mappingcoordinates MC1, MC2, MC3, MC4, respectively. A game menu icon isdisplayed at each position of the mapping coordinates MC1, MC2, MC3,MC4. Specifically, the menu icons of home, mission, shop, and option aredisplayed. Accordingly, when the player touches the position of thetouching operation coordinates TC1 in the virtual touch area VTA, themapping coordinates MC1 associated with the touching operationcoordinates TC1 are regarded as serving as the input coordinates,thereby enabling the player to select the home menu icon. Morespecifically, the touching operation on the position of the touchingoperation coordinates TC1 is regarded as a touching operation on theposition of the mapping coordinates MC1, and the home menu icon isselected. Similarly, when the player touches the position of thetouching operation coordinates TC2, TC3, or TC4, the mapping coordinatesMC2, MC3, or MC4 associated with the touching operation coordinates TC2,TC3, or TC4 are regarded as serving as the input coordinates, therebyenabling the player to select the menu icon of mission, shop, or option.

It is also possible to perform a game process of processing a commandusing the mapping coordinates as input coordinates. For example, acommand icon for selecting a command is displayed on the touch screenSC. When the touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch areaVTA corresponding to the mapping coordinates where the command icon islocated are touched, it is determined that the command icon is selected,and a command corresponding to the command icon is executed. In thismanner, it becomes possible to execute a desired command by allowing theplayer to select the command using the mapping coordinates as inputcoordinates.

Further, in FIG. 6 , a game process for action control of a character CHoperated by the player is performed using the mapping coordinates as theinput coordinates; more specifically, a game process for movementcontrol is performed. For example, in FIG. 6 , the touching operationcoordinates TC1 and TC2 in the virtual touch area VTA are associatedwith the mapping coordinates MC1 and MC2. Further, the player touchesthe position of the touching operation coordinates TC1 and drags ittoward the position of the touching operation coordinates TC2. As aresult, the character CH at the position of the mapping coordinates MC1corresponding to the touching operation coordinates TC1 moves to theposition of the mapping coordinates MC2 corresponding to the touchingoperation coordinates TC2. More specifically, the game process formovement control of the character CH operated by the player is performedusing the mapping coordinates MC1 and MC2 as the input coordinates.

Further, in FIG. 7 , a game process for action control of the characterCH operated by the player is performed using the mapping coordinates asthe input coordinates; more specifically, a game process for aggressiveaction is performed. For example, in FIG. 7 , the touching operationcoordinates TC1, TC2, TC3 in the virtual touch area VTA are associatedwith the mapping coordinates MC1, MC2, MC3, respectively. In the mappingcoordinates MC1, MC2, and MC3, enemy characters CHE1, CHE2, and CHE3 aredisposed, respectively. The player selects the enemy character CHE1 asthe attack target by touching the position of the touching operationcoordinates TC1. This causes the player character CH to attack the enemycharacter CHE1. More specifically, a game process for allowing thecharacter CH operated by the player to take an aggressive action isperformed using the mapping coordinates MC1 as the input coordinates.

As described above, the present embodiment enables various gameprocesses, such as the menu selection process, the command process, theprocess for action control of the character used by the player, or thegame progress process by using the mapping coordinates corresponding tothe touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch area VTA as theinput coordinates.

Further, in the present embodiment, when a touching operation isperformed with respect to the virtual touch area, a notification processof notifying the player of the position of the mapping coordinatesassociated with the touching operation coordinates within the virtualtouch area is performed.

For example, in FIG. 8 , the player is touching the touching operationcoordinates TC in the virtual touch area VTA with a finger. Since thetouching operation coordinates TC are associated with the mappingcoordinates MC, an effect EF is displayed at the position of the mappingcoordinates MC. The effect EF is a display object for allowing theplayer to recognize the position of the mapping coordinates MC. Forexample, the effect EF has a form of ripples. By displaying the effectEF, the notification process for allowing the player to visuallyrecognize the position of the mapping coordinates MC associated with thetouching operation coordinates TC in the virtual touch area VTA can beperformed. The effect for enabling such a notification process is notlimited to the ripple-shaped display object as shown in FIG. 8 , andvarious effects may be used. For example, an effect display in which adisplay object such as a star or a bubble is generated from the positionof the mapping coordinates MC may be used. The notification process isnot limited to the notification process using an effect. For example,the notification process may be performed by displaying texts or aspeech bubble indicating X, Y coordinates of the mapping coordinates atthe position of the mapping coordinates MC.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart explaining a process example according to thepresent embodiment. First, it is determined whether or not the playerhas performed a touching operation with respect to the touch screen(step S1). The determination as to whether or not a touching operationis performed with respect to the touch screen is performed, for example,by monitoring output information of the touch panel display 190. Then,the information of the coordinates on the touch screen where thetouching operation is performed is received as the touching operationcoordinates (step S2). For example, when the touch panel display 190outputs the information of touching operation coordinates, the receptionsection 102 acquires and receives the information of touching operationcoordinates from the touch panel display 190.

Next, it is determined whether the input mode is the virtual input mode(step S3). More specifically, it is determined whether or not the inputmode is the virtual input mode in which not the touching operationcoordinates but the mapping coordinates associated with the touchingoperation coordinates are set as the input coordinates. If the inputmode is the virtual input mode, the mapping coordinates associated withthe touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch area areacquired (step S4). For example, as described with reference to FIG. 4 ,the mapping coordinates associated with the touching operationcoordinates received in step S2 are acquired by using, for example, theabove formulas (1) to (4). Then, an effect that enables the player torecognize the position of the mapping coordinates is displayed at theposition of the mapping coordinates (step S5). For example, as shown inFIG. 8 , the effect EF having a shape of ripples or the like isdisplayed at the position of the mapping coordinates MC. Further, themapping coordinates are set as the input coordinates (step S6). Forexample, the mapping coordinates are set as the input coordinates in thegame operation. Then, the game process is executed based on the inputcoordinates (step S9). For example, as described with reference to FIGS.5 to 7 , various game processes, including a menu selection process, acommand process, a character action control process, and a game progressprocess, are performed based on the input coordinates that are mappingcoordinates.

In contrast, when it is determined in step S3 that the input mode is notthe virtual input mode, it is determined that the input mode is thenormal input mode, and the touching operation coordinates are set as theinput coordinates (steps S7 and S8). Then, the game process is executedbased on the input coordinates (step S9). As described above, in thepresent embodiment, the mapping coordinates are set as the inputcoordinates in the virtual input mode, and the touching operationcoordinates are set as the input coordinates in the normal input mode.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when a touching operationis performed with respect to the touch screen, information of thetouching operation coordinates at which the touching operation isperformed is received. When the touching operation is performed withrespect to the virtual touch area, the mapping coordinates associatedwith the touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch area areset as the input coordinates, and the game process is performed based onthe input coordinates that are the mapping coordinates. Morespecifically, when the player performs a touching operation with respectto the virtual touch area set on the touch screen as an area smallerthan the touch screen, it is determined that the touching operation isperformed with respect to the mapping coordinates associated with thetouching operation coordinates; as a result, a game process is performedusing the mapping coordinates as input coordinates. Accordingly, theplayer can perform a game operation or the like by a touching operationusing the virtual touch area smaller than the touch screen. Morespecifically, in the present embodiment, the virtual touch area smallerthan the entire size of the touch screen is set in the touch screen;then, when a touching operation is performed in the virtual touch area,it is assumed that the touching operation is performed somewhere in thetouch screen. With this configuration, the movement range of thetouching operation part, such as a finger, is limited to the rangenecessary for touching the virtual touch area. As a result, the playerdoes not have to largely move the touching operation part, therebyimproving the convenience of the player. For example, even in the caseof a large-sized touch screen, the player can perform the game operationwithout largely moving the touching operation part, such as a finger. Asa result, it becomes possible to provide an operation interfaceenvironment suitable for a terminal device equipped with a touch paneldisplay.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8 , when a touchingoperation is performed with respect to the virtual touch area, anotification process of notifying the player of the position of themapping coordinates associated with the touching operation coordinatesis performed.

By performing such a notification process for allowing the player torecognize the position of the mapping coordinates, when the playertouches a desired position in the virtual touch area, the player canconfirm the position of the mapping coordinates corresponding to thetouched position, thus allowing the player to perform a game operationwhile confirming the position. As a result, the operation interfaceenvironment can be improved and the convenience of the player can alsobe improved.

2.2 Switching Input Mode

In the present embodiment, a process of switching between the virtualinput mode and the normal input mode is performed. Specifically, thevirtual input mode and the normal input mode are switched according tothe game status. In the virtual input mode, the mapping coordinates areset as the input coordinates. In the normal input mode, the touchingoperation coordinates are set as the input coordinates. FIG. 10 is aflowchart for explaining a process of switching an input mode.

First, the game status, such as the game progress status, the gameplaystatus such as the operation history of the player, or the statuses ofthe characters operated by the player is acquired (step S11). Forexample, the game status is determined according to various gameprocesses in the game processing section 108. Next, the input mode isdetermined based on the game status (step S12). If it is determined thatthe input mode is set to the virtual input mode based on the gamestatus, the mapping coordinates associated with the touching operationcoordinates are set as the input coordinates (steps S13 and S14). Then,the game process is executed based on the input coordinates, which arethe mapping coordinates (step S17). In contrast, when it is determinedthat the normal input mode is set as the input mode based on the gamestatus, the touching operation coordinates are set as the inputcoordinates (steps S13, S15, S16). Then, the game process is executedbased on the input coordinates, which are the touching operationcoordinates (step S17).

As described above, in the present embodiment, two input modes, i.e.,the virtual input mode and the normal input mode are provided. In thevirtual input mode, the mapping coordinates are set as the inputcoordinates. In the normal input mode, the touching operationcoordinates are set as the input coordinates. Then, the game processbased on the input coordinates is performed. In this way, by providingtwo input modes, such as the virtual input mode and the normal inputmode, a suitable input mode can be set according to various statuses,such as the game status, thereby enabling the player to play appropriategame operations. For example, if a game operation using the narrowvirtual touch area is more preferable according to the status, the inputmode is set to the virtual input mode. In this way, even if the touchscreen has a large area, the player can perform the game operationusing, for example, only a finger of his/her dominant arm; as a result,the convenience of the player can be improved. In contrast, when it ispreferable to perform the game operation using the entire touch screen,the input mode is set to the normal input mode. For example, when anappropriate game operation or accurate game operation cannot beperformed in the narrow virtual touch area, the normal input mode isselected. Selecting the normal input mode allows the player to perform agame operation using the entire touch screen; as a result, the playercan perform appropriate game operations and accurate game operations.

Further, in the present embodiment, the virtual input mode and thenormal input mode are switched according to the game status as explainedin FIG. 10 . For example, the virtual input mode and the normal inputmode are switched according to the game status, such as a game progressstatus, a gameplay status based on the operation history of the player,the game score status such as acquired game points, the game levelstatus, the game map/environment status, or the statuses of charactersused by the player in the game. For example, in the first game status,the input mode is set to the virtual input mode, and a game processbased on the mapping coordinates is performed. In contrast, in thesecond game status, the input mode is set to the normal input mode, anda game process based on the touching operation coordinates is performed.For example, when the virtual input mode becomes more suitable as thegame operation input than the normal input mode as a result of progressof the game, the input mode is switched from the normal input mode tothe virtual input mode. Alternatively, when the monitoring of theoperation history of the player indicates that the player frequentlytouches, for example, the lower right region of the touch screen, it isdetermined that the player desires a game operation using the virtualtouch area provided in the lower right region of the touch screen;accordingly, the normal input mode is switched to the virtual inputmode. This determination process may be performed by machine learningusing AI or the like. Further, when the game score of the player reachesa predetermined point or when the player achieves a predetermined gamelevel, the player may be granted a game operation in the virtual inputmode as a reward. More specifically, the normal input mode is switchedto the virtual input mode so that the game operation in the virtualinput mode can be performed. Further, the virtual input mode and thenormal input mode may be switched according to the status of a characteroperated by the player. For example, when the character moves, or in abattle scene of the character, the input mode is set to the virtualinput mode; on the other hand, when the character is equipped with aweapon or an item, or in a menu screen showing the status of thecharacter, the input mode is set to the normal input mode. It may alsobe set inversely so that the normal input mode is selected when thecharacter moves or in a battle scene of the character, and the virtualinput mode is selected in a menu screen.

2.3 Operation Input Outside the Area

In the present embodiment, when the touching operation is performedoutside the virtual touch area, the touching operation performed outsidethe virtual touch area is defined as operation input outside the area.For example, the operation input outside the area is assigned to apredetermined operation performed by the player; then, when theoperation input outside the area is performed, it is determined that thepredetermined operation is performed. Then, a process, such as a gameprocess, according to the predetermined operation is executed. FIG. 11is a flowchart for explaining a process for operation input outside thearea.

First, in the virtual input mode, it is determined whether or not atouching operation is performed outside the virtual touch area (stepS21). For example, the touching operation coordinates of the virtualtouch area are monitored, and it is determined whether the touchingoperation coordinates are located outside the virtual touch area. Then,when the touching operation is performed outside the virtual touch area,it is determined that the touching operation outside the area isoperation input outside the area (step S22). More specifically, it isdetermined that operation input outside the area is performed by theplayer. Then, assuming that operation input assigned to the operationinput outside the area is performed, a process, such as a game process,is executed (step S23). For example, a process associated with theoperation input assigned to the operation input outside the area isexecuted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the touching operationoutside the virtual touch area is regarded as the operation inputoutside the area. This enables the player to perform various operationsby performing the operation input outside the area, thereby improvingthe operation interface environment of the player. For example, in thepresent embodiment, the operation input outside the area is assigned toa predetermined operation performed by the player. Therefore, when theplayer performs the operation input outside the area, it is determinedthat the predetermined operation to which the operation input outsidethe area is assigned is performed, and various processes correspondingto the predetermined operation are executed. This improves theconvenience of the player. For example, in the present embodiment, theoperation input outside the area is assigned to an operation forswitching the game mode, an operation for pausing the game progress, andan operation for taking a screenshot, which will be described later.With this configuration, it is possible to switch the game mode, pausethe game progress, and take a screenshot when the player performs theoperation input outside the area. Alternatively, the operation inputoutside the area may be assigned to an operation for activating aspecial move or skill of the character. This enables the characteroperated by the player to actuate a special move or skill when theplayer performs the operation input outside the area. Alternatively, theoperation input outside the area may be assigned to an operation forsetting options. With this configuration, the operation input outsidethe area performed by the player serves as a shortcut operation, and itis regarded that a series of operations for setting options has beenperformed. This enables the player to perform option setting, whichnormally requires complicated operation, by simply performing theoperation input outside the area, thereby improving the convenience ofthe player.

In this case, the player may be allowed to freely select thepredetermined operation to which the operation input outside the area isassigned. For example, the operation input outside the area is assignedto either an operation of switching the game mode, an operation ofpausing the game progress, or an operation of taking a screenshotaccording to the option setting or the like by the player. This enablesthe player to perform operation input outside the area to therebyperform an operation corresponding to the operation input outside thearea that was assigned by the player himself/herself in the optionsetting or the like, thereby improving the operation interfaceenvironment of the player.

For example, in the present embodiment, when the operation input outsidethe area is performed, the virtual input mode in which the mappingcoordinates are set as the input coordinates is switched to the normalinput mode in which the touching operation coordinates are set as theinput coordinates. More specifically, in FIG. 12 , the player performs atouching operation in OTA, which is outside the virtual touch area VTA,instead of touching operation within the virtual touch area VTA. By thusperforming a touching operation with respect to the OTA, i.e., outsidethe virtual touch area, it is determined that the operation inputoutside the area is performed. As a result, for example, the virtualinput mode is switched to the normal input mode. This enables switchingfrom the virtual input mode to the normal input mode when the player,who has been playing the game by performing touching operations in thevirtual touch area VTA, performs the operation input outside the area.Then, when the player touches a position required for the gameplay onthe entire screen of the touch screen SC, a game process is performedusing the touching operation coordinates at that position as the inputcoordinates. For example, the player can proceed with the game bydirectly touching an icon required for advancing the game, a characteroperated by the player, or an enemy character in the touch screen SC.

Further, in the present embodiment, a process of pausing the gameprogress is executed when the operation input outside the area isperformed. More specifically, in FIG. 13 , the player is performing anoperation of touching the OTA, which is outside the virtual touch areaVTA. When such an operation of touching the OTA, i.e., outside thevirtual touch area, is performed, it is determined that the operationinput outside the area is performed, and the game progress is paused.This enables the player, who was playing the game by performing atouching operation in the virtual touch area VTA, to pause the game inprogress by performing the operation input outside the area. Forexample, during the game progress, such as when the player is playing agame by performing a drag operation in the virtual touch area VTA asshown in FIG. 6 to move the character CH, or performing a touchingoperation in the virtual touch area VTA as shown in FIG. 7 to select theenemy character CHE1, which is the attack target, if the play cannotcontinue the gameplay because he has to do other things, the playertouches the OTA, which is outside the virtual touch area VTA, i.e.,performs the operation input outside the area. As a result, the gameprogress is paused, enabling the player to do things other than gameplayduring this pause period. Alternatively, while the game is in progress,the game may be paused by the operation input outside the area so as togive time to equip weapons and items.

In addition, in the present embodiment, a process of generating ascreenshot of a game image is performed when the operation input outsidethe area is performed. More specifically, in FIG. 14 , the player isperforming an operation of touching the OTA, which is outside thevirtual touch area VTA. As a result, it is determined that the operationinput outside the area has been performed, and a screenshot of a gameimage is taken. For example, during the gameplay, such as when theplayer is playing a game by performing a drag operation in the virtualtouch area VTA as shown in FIG. 6 to move the character CH, orperforming a touching operation in the virtual touch area VTA as shownin FIG. 7 to select the enemy character CHE1, which is the attacktarget, if the player wants to capture the game image, the player cantake a screenshot of the game image at the time by performing theoperation input outside the area. This enables the player to take ascreenshot of a desired game image during the gameplay, therebyimproving the convenience of the player.

Further, in the present embodiment, when a touching operation isperformed with respect to the virtual touch area, the first game processis performed by using the mapping coordinates as input coordinates.Further, when the operation input outside the area is performed, thesecond game process is performed using the touching operationcoordinates outside the area as the input coordinates. With thisconfiguration, a game operation according to the first game process isperformed by the touching operation in the virtual touch area, and thegame or the like proceeds. Then, when the player performs the operationinput outside the area, a game operation according to the second gameprocess is performed based on the touching operation coordinates outsidethe area, and the game or the like proceeds. FIG. 15 is a flowchart forexplaining a process in which a game process is changed depending onwhether the operation given was touching operation in a virtual toucharea or operation input outside the area.

First, it is determined whether or not the player has performed atouching operation with respect to the touch screen (step S31). Then, ifit is determined that the touching operation is performed, thecoordinates on the touch screen where the touching operation isperformed are received as the touching operation coordinates (step S32).

Next, it is determined whether or not a touching operation was performedin the virtual touch area based on the received touching operationcoordinates (step S33). More specifically, it is determined whether thetouching operation coordinates are coordinates inside the virtual toucharea or outside the area. Then, if it is a touching operation withrespect to the virtual touch area, the first game process is performedbased on the mapping coordinates set as the input coordinates (stepS34). On the other hand, if it is not the touching operation withrespect to the virtual touch area, it is determined that the touchingoperation is the operation input outside the area (step S35). Then, thesecond game process is performed using the touching operationcoordinates outside the area as the input coordinates (step S36).

For example, the touching operation by the player in the virtual toucharea executes the first game process that performs control of themovement or aggressive actions of the character as shown in FIGS. 6 and7 using the mapping coordinates as the input coordinates. In contrast,the operation input outside the area by the player executes the secondgame process for selecting a menu icon as shown in FIG. 5 using thetouching operation coordinates outside the area as the inputcoordinates. More specifically, although the menu icon is selected basedon the mapping coordinates in FIG. 5 , in this case, the menu icon isdirectly selected based on the touching operation coordinates.Alternatively, it may also be inversely arranged such that the firstgame process is executed to select a menu icon using the mappingcoordinates as the input coordinates, and that the second game processis performed to control the movement or aggressive actions of thecharacter using the touching operation coordinates outside the area asthe input coordinates.

This makes it possible to enable both the first game process based onthe touching operation in the virtual touch area and the second gameprocess based on the touching operation outside the virtual touch area,thereby performing various types of game process. Further, it becomespossible to enable a game process in which the touching operation in thevirtual touch area is suitable for the game operation by the first gameprocess that uses the mapping coordinates as the input coordinates, andenable a game process in which the touching operation outside thevirtual touch area is suitable for the game operation by the second gameprocess that uses the touching operation coordinates as the inputcoordinates. This makes it possible to execute the first and second gameprocesses while setting coordinates suitable for them as the inputcoordinates.

2.4 Change of Virtual Touch Area, Identification Display of VirtualTouch Area

The present embodiment performs a process of changing the position,size, or shape of the virtual touch area in the touch screen. Forexample, the virtual touch area is changed according to the game status.By thus performing the process of changing the position, size, or shapeof the virtual touch area, it becomes possible to dispose the virtualtouch area at an appropriate position according to each status, or setan appropriate size or shape of the virtual touch area according to eachstatus. For example, by changing the virtual touch area according to thegame status, the virtual touch area can be modified to an appropriatestate according to the game status.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16 , when the player is right-handed, theposition of the virtual touch area VTA in the touch screen SC isdisposed, for example, at the lower right position of the touch screenSC. When the right-handed player performs a game operation with onehand, the player is believed to hold the terminal device 10 with theright hand, which is the dominant hand, and performs touching operationsusing a finger of the right hand. Therefore, by disposing the virtualtouch area VTA at the lower right position of the touch screen SC, itbecomes possible to dispose the virtual touch area VTA at a positionsuitable for a right-handed player. In contrast, when the player isleft-handed, the position of the virtual touch area VTA in the touchscreen SC is disposed, for example, at the lower left position of thetouch screen SC. When the left-handed player performs a game operationwith one hand, the player is believed to hold the terminal device 10with the left hand, which is the dominant hand, and performs touchingoperations using a finger of the left hand. Therefore, by disposing thevirtual touch area VTA at the lower left position of the touch screenSC, it becomes possible to dispose the virtual touch area VTA at aposition suitable for a left-handed player.

Whether the player is right-handed or left-handed may be set in advanceby the player, for example, in the option menu, or may be automaticallydetermined. For example, when the player frequently touches the lowerright side of the touch screen SC of the terminal device 10, it isassumed that the player is right-handed. In contrast, when the playerfrequently touches the lower left side of the touch screen SC, it isassumed that the player is left-handed. This estimation process may beperformed by machine learning using AI or the like.

Further, when the terminal device 10, such as a smartphone, has avertical display screen, the virtual touch area VTA is disposed at thelower right side of the vertical display screen as shown in FIG. 17 . Ifthe player is left-handed, the virtual touch area VTA is disposed at thelower left side of the vertical display screen. In contrast, when theterminal device 10 has a horizontal display screen, the virtual toucharea VTA is disposed at the lower right side of the horizontal displayscreen as shown in FIG. 17 . If the player is left-handed, the virtualtouch area VTA is disposed at the lower left side of the horizontaldisplay screen. Switching between a vertical display screen and ahorizontal display screen can be performed by orientation detectionusing an orientation sensor, such as a gyro sensor, or an accelerationsensor included in the terminal device 10.

Since a lower right position of a horizontal display screen correspondsto an upper right position of a vertical display screen, in FIG. 17 ,the position of the virtual touch area VTA in the touch screen SC ischanged depending on whether the display screen is a vertical displayscreen or a horizontal display screen. The shape of the virtual toucharea VTA may also be changed depending on whether the display screen isa vertical display screen or a horizontal display screen. For example,it is possible to change the aspect ratio of the virtual touch area VTA.By thus changing the size or shape of the virtual touch area VTAdepending on whether the display screen is a vertical display screen ora horizontal display screen, it is possible to set an appropriate size,shape, or the like of the virtual touch area VTA for the verticaldisplay screen or the horizontal display screen.

Further, in FIG. 18 , a fan-shaped virtual touch area VTA (boundaryshape) is provided to allow the player to easily perform a touchingoperation in the virtual touch area VTA using the thumb as shown in FIG.3 . The virtual touch area VTA having such a shape enables the player toeasily perform the instruction of touching operation coordinates bytouching the virtual touch area VTA when the player performs gameoperation while holding the terminal device 10 with one hand, therebyimproving the operation interface environment of the player. Preferably,the position, size, or shape of the virtual touch area VTA can be set bythe player, for example, in the option menu. For example, it ispreferably arranged such that the position, size, or shape of thevirtual touch area VTA can be variably customized by the player.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a process of changing a virtualtouch area. First, the game status, such as the game progress status,the gameplay status such as the operation history of the player, or thestatus of the character operated by the player, is acquired (step S41).For example, the game status is determined according to various gameprocesses in the game processing section 108. Next, it is determinedwhether or not the game status satisfies the virtual touch area changecondition (step S42). When the change condition is satisfied, a processof changing the virtual touch area is performed according to the gamestatus (step S43).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the virtual touch area ischanged according to the game status. For example, the position, size,shape, or the like of the virtual touch area is changed according to thegame status. For example, in a game status in which a detailed gameoperation is required, the touching operation in the virtual touch areausing the thumb as shown in FIG. 3 is difficult. Therefore, in such agame status, the size of the virtual touch area is increased. Incontrast, in a game status in which a detailed game operation is notrequired, the size of the virtual touch area is reduced. For example, itmay be arranged such that, in the first game status, a virtual toucharea having a very small size is disposed at the right corner or theleft corner of the touch screen, and that, then, when the first gamestatus is changed to the second game status, the size of the virtualtouch area may be returned to the normal size as shown in FIG. 3 .Alternatively, it may be arranged such that the operation history of thetouching operation by the player is monitored, and the position, size,or shape of the virtual touch area is set to the position, size, orshape according to the operation history. Alternatively, the position,size, or shape of the virtual touch area may be set according to thegame score or the game level of the player. For example, when the playerachieves a predetermined game score, or when the player achieves apredetermined game level, the position, size, or shape of the virtualtouch area is set to a position, size, or shape suitable for the gameoperation. For example, when the player achieves a predetermined gamescore or game level, the setting of a virtual touch area having aspecial shape as shown in FIG. 18 is permitted. Alternatively, it isalso possible to set the position, size, or shape of the virtual toucharea according to the type or size of the character used by the player.For example, the shape of the virtual touch area is changed according tothe type of the character, or the size of the virtual touch area ischanged according to the size of the character. This enables appropriatesetting of the position, size, or shape of the virtual touch areaaccording to the game status, thereby improving the game operationenvironment of the player.

Further, in the present embodiment, after the touching operation isperformed in the virtual touch area, the mapping coordinatescorresponding to the touching operation coordinates at the timing whenthe touching operation part, such as a finger, of the player leaves thetouch screen are set as the input coordinates. For example, instead ofsetting the touching operation coordinates at the timing when thetouching operation part touches the touch screen, the mappingcoordinates corresponding to the touching operation part at the timingwhen the touching operation part leaves the touch screen are set as theinput coordinates. FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining a process ofsetting touching operation coordinates as input coordinates at a timingwhen a touching operation part is separated.

First, it is determined whether or not a touching operation with respectto the virtual touch area is performed (step S51). Then, if it isdetermined that the touching operation is performed, it is furtherdetermined whether or not the finger, which is the touching operationpart, of the player, has left the touch screen (step S52). In this case,the touching operation coordinates are sequentially stored in advance inthe storage section 170 until the finger leaves the touch screen. Then,if it is determined that the finger has left the touch screen, thetouching operation coordinates at the timing when the finger leaves thetouch screen are set as the input coordinates (step S53). For example,the touching operation coordinates at the timing when the finger leavesthe touch screen are selected from the group of touching operationcoordinates stored in the storage section 170, and set as the inputcoordinates. Then, the game process is executed based on the inputcoordinates (step S54).

This enables the player to correct the touching operation position byslightly moving the touching operation part, i.e., a finger, afterperforming the touching operation in the virtual touch area. Then, themapping coordinates corresponding to the touching operation coordinatesat the timing when the finger leaves the touch screen are thereafter setas the input coordinates, and the game process is executed.

It is also possible to store the touching operation coordinates at thetiming when the finger leaves the touch screen, and determine the storedtouching operation coordinates as the input coordinates when the playerperforms a predetermined operation such as re-tapping the screen.

Further, in the present embodiment, identification display of thevirtual touch area is performed in the touch screen. For example, inFIG. 21 , identification display to display a boundary VTD of thevirtual touch area VTA in the touch screen SC is performed, therebyallowing the player to identify the position, size, shape, and the likeof the virtual touch area VTA. By thus performing the identificationdisplay of the virtual touch area VTA, the player can visually identifythe target region of the touching operation, thereby improving theoperation interface environment of the player.

For example, in FIG. 22 , identification display to display a marker MKindicating the position of the upper left corner of the virtual toucharea VTA in the touch screen SC is performed, thereby allowing theplayer to identify the position, size, and the like of the virtual toucharea VTA. When the player is left-handed as shown in FIG. 16 , it may bearranged such that the marker MK indicating the position of the upperright corner of the virtual touch area VTA is displayed. Alternatively,it may be arranged such that the identification display to display theboundary VTD of the virtual touch area VTA is performed as shown in FIG.21 at the timing when the player touches the virtual touch area VTA, andthat a simple identification display to display only the marker MK asshown in FIG. 22 is performed when a predetermined time has passed afterthe touch timing. When the boundary VTD of the virtual touch area VTA isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 21 , there is a possibility that the displayof the boundary VTD interferes with the display of the game image, andthe player cannot clearly see the game image. On the other hand, theidentification display that displays only the marker MK as shown in FIG.22 does not significantly interfere with the display of the game imagecompared with the display of the boundary VTD, and the player can seethe game image more clearly.

The identification display of the virtual touch area is not limited tothose shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 , and may be performed in various ways.For example, it is possible to perform identification display bychanging the color tone or the luminance in the virtual touch area fromthose in other regions. For example, it is possible to perform theidentification display by combining a rectangular translucent imagehaving a predetermined color with the virtual touch area by alphablending. Alternatively, the identification display may be performed sothat the luminance of the virtual touch area becomes higher than theluminances of other regions of the touch screen.

In accordance with one of some embodiments, it is possible to provide agame system, a processing method, an information processing medium, andthe like that enable operation input for a game process by performing atouch operation in a narrow touch operation range.

One of the present embodiments relates to a game system including aprocessor including hardware, wherein the processor performs a receptionprocess of receiving coordinates of a touching operation in a touchscreen as touching operation coordinates when the touching operation isperformed by a player with respect to the touch screen; a virtual toucharea process of associating the touching operation coordinates in avirtual touch area that is set in the touch screen as an area smallerthan the touch screen with mapping coordinates on the touch screen; whenthe touching operation is performed with respect to the virtual toucharea, an input process of setting the mapping coordinates as inputcoordinates, assuming that the touching operation is performed withrespect to the mapping coordinates associated with the touchingoperation coordinates in the virtual touch area in which the touchingoperation is performed; and a game process based on the inputcoordinates.

In accordance with one of some embodiments, when a touching operation isperformed with respect to a touch screen, the touching operationcoordinates at which the touching operation is performed are received.Then, when the touching operation is performed with respect to thevirtual touch area, the mapping coordinates associated with the touchingoperation coordinates in the virtual touch area are set as the inputcoordinates, and a game process is performed based on the inputcoordinates that are the mapping coordinates. More specifically, when atouching operation is performed with respect to the virtual touch areaset on the touch screen as an area smaller than the touch screen, it isdetermined that the touching operation is performed with respect to themapping coordinates associated with the touching operation coordinates;as a result, a game process is performed using the mapping coordinatesas input coordinates. As a result, it is possible to provide a gamesystem or the like that enables an operation input for a game process byperforming a touch operation in a narrow touch operation range.

In one of the present embodiments, the processor may perform anotification process of notifying the player of a position of themapping coordinates associated with the touching operation coordinatesin the virtual touch area when the touching operation is performed withrespect to the virtual touch area.

As a result, in some embodiments, the player can easily confirm theposition of the mapping coordinates corresponding to the position of thetouching operation when the player performs a touching operation withrespect to the virtual touch area, thereby improving the convenience ofthe player.

In one of the present embodiments, the processor may set the mappingcoordinates as the input coordinates in a virtual input mode, and setsthe touching operation coordinates as the input coordinates in a normalinput mode.

As a result, in some embodiments, by providing two input modes, such asthe virtual input mode and the normal input mode, a suitable input modecan be set according to various statuses, thereby allowing the player toplay appropriate game operations.

In one of the present embodiments, the processor may switch between thevirtual input mode and the normal input mode according to the gamestatus.

As a result, in some embodiments, a suitable input mode can be setaccording to the game status, thereby allowing the player to playappropriate game operations.

In one of the present embodiments, the processor may determine that thetouching operation performed outside the virtual touch area is operationinput outside the area when the touching operation is performed outsidethe virtual touch area.

As a result, in some embodiments, the touching operation outside thevirtual touch area is regarded as the operation input outside the area.This enables the player to perform various operations by performing theoperation input outside the area, thereby improving the operationinterface environment of the player.

In one of the present embodiments, the processor may assign theoperation input outside the area to a predetermined operation performedby the player.

As a result, in some embodiments, when the player performs the operationinput outside the area, it is determined that the predeterminedoperation to which the operation input outside the area is assigned isperformed, and various processes corresponding to the predeterminedoperation are executed. This improves the convenience of the player.

In one of the present embodiments, the processor may switch a virtualinput mode in which the mapping coordinates are set as the inputcoordinates to a normal input mode in which the touching operationcoordinates are set as the input coordinates when the operation inputoutside the area is performed.

As a result, in some embodiments, the virtual input mode is switched tothe normal input mode when the player, who has been playing the game byperforming touching operations in the virtual touch area, performs theoperation input outside the area.

In one of the present embodiments, the processor may perform a processof pausing the game progress when the operation input outside the areais performed.

As a result, in some embodiments, when the player, who was playing thegame by performing a touching operation in the virtual touch area,performs the operation input outside the area, the game in progress ispaused.

In one of the present embodiments, the processor may perform a processof generating a screenshot of a game image when the operation inputoutside the area is performed.

As a result, in some embodiments, a screenshot of a game image at thattime point is generated when the player performs the operation inputoutside the area, thereby improving the convenience of the player.

In one of the present embodiments, the processor may perform a firstgame process using the mapping coordinates as the input coordinates whenthe touching operation is performed with respect to the virtual toucharea, and performs a second game process different from the first gameprocess using the touching operation coordinates outside the virtualtouch area as the input coordinates when the operation input outside thearea is performed.

As a result, in some embodiments, it becomes possible to enable both thefirst game process based on a touching operation in the virtual toucharea and the second game process based on a touching operation outsidethe virtual touch area, thereby performing various types of gameprocess.

In one of the present embodiments, the processor may perform a processof changing a position, size or shape of the virtual touch area in thetouch screen.

As a result, in some embodiments, it becomes possible to dispose thevirtual touch area at an appropriate position according to each status,or set an appropriate size or shape of the virtual touch area accordingto each status.

In one of the present embodiments, the processor may change the virtualtouch area according to the game status.

As a result, in some embodiments, the virtual touch area can be changedto an appropriate state according to the game status.

In one of the present embodiments, after the touching operation in thevirtual touch area is performed, the processor sets the mappingcoordinates corresponding to the touching operation coordinates at atiming when a touching operation part of the player leaves the touchscreen as the input coordinates.

As a result, in some embodiments, the player can correct the touchingoperation position by moving the touching operation part afterperforming the touching operation in the virtual touch area using thetouching operation part. Then, the mapping coordinates corresponding tothe touching operation coordinates at the timing when the touchingoperation part leaves the touch screen is thereafter set as the inputcoordinates.

In one of the present embodiments, the processor may performidentification display of the virtual touch area in the touch screen.

By thus performing the identification display of the virtual touch area,the player can identify the target region of the touching operation,thereby improving the operation interface environment of the player.

One of the present embodiments relates to a processing method ofperforming a reception process of receiving coordinates of a touchingoperation in a touch screen as touching operation coordinates when thetouching operation is performed by a player with respect to the touchscreen; a virtual touch area process of associating the touchingoperation coordinates in a virtual touch area that is set in the touchscreen as an area smaller than the touch screen with mapping coordinateson the touch screen; when the touching operation is performed withrespect to the virtual touch area, an input process of setting themapping coordinates as input coordinates, assuming that the touchingoperation is performed with respect to the mapping coordinatesassociated with the touching operation coordinates in the virtual toucharea in which the touching operation is performed; and a game processbased on the input coordinates.

One of the present embodiments relates to a computer-readableinformation storage medium storing a program for causing a computer toperform the processing method described above.

Although the present embodiments have been described in detail above,those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modificationsare possible in the embodiment without materially departing from thenovel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly,all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofthe present disclosure. For example, in the specification or thedrawings, each of terms (such as a finger) that is at least once usedtogether with another broader-sense or synonymous term (such as atouching operation part) can be replaced with the other term at any partof the specification or the drawings. In addition, the touchingoperation coordinates reception process, the process of associating themapping coordinates with the touching operation coordinates, the processof setting the input coordinates, the game process, and the like arealso not limited to those described in the present embodiment, andmethods, processes, and configurations equivalent to those are alsoincluded in the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A game system comprising a processor including hardware, the processor being configured to perform: a setting process of setting a virtual touch area that is arranged within a touch screen as an area smaller than the touch screen; a reception process of receiving coordinates of a touching operation on the touch screen as touching operation coordinates when the touching operation is performed by a player on the touch screen; when the touching operation is performed within the virtual touch area, a virtual touch area converting process of converting the touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch area to mapping coordinates on the touch screen, the mapping coordinates being located outside of the virtual touch area; when the touching operation is performed within the virtual touch area, an input process of setting the mapping coordinates as input coordinates; and a game process based on the input coordinates, wherein the processor automatically switches, in response to a predetermined in-game event of the game process occurring, between (1) a virtual input mode in which the virtual touch area converting process is performed when the touching operation is performed within the virtual touch area, and (2) a normal input mode in which the virtual touch area converting process is not performed regardless of a location of the touching operation on the touch screen.
 2. The game system as defined in claim 1, wherein the processor performs a notification process of notifying the player of a position of the mapping coordinates associated with the touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch area when the touching operation is performed within the virtual touch area.
 3. The game system as defined in claim 1, wherein, the processor is further configured such that when the touching operation is performed outside the virtual touch area, the processor determines that the touching operation performed outside the virtual touch area is operation input outside the area.
 4. The game system as defined in claim 3, wherein the processor assigns the operation input outside the area to a predetermined operation performed by the player.
 5. The game system as defined in claim 3, wherein, when the operation input outside the area is performed, the processor switches from the virtual input mode to the normal input mode.
 6. The game system as defined in claim 3, wherein, when the operation input outside the area is performed, the processor performs a process of pausing game progress.
 7. The game system as defined in claim 3, wherein, when the operation input outside the area is performed, the processor performs a process of generating a screenshot of a game image.
 8. The game system as defined in claim 3, wherein the processor performs a first game process using the mapping coordinates as the input coordinates when the touching operation is performed within the virtual touch area, and performs a second game process different from the first game process using the touching operation coordinates outside the virtual touch area as the input coordinates when the operation input outside the area is performed.
 9. The game system as defined in claim 1, wherein the processor performs a process of changing a position, size or shape of the virtual touch area in the touch screen.
 10. The game system as defined in claim 1, wherein the processor changes a position, size, or shape of the virtual touch area according to the game status of the game process.
 11. The game system as defined in claim 1, wherein, after the touching operation in the virtual touch area is performed, the processor sets the mapping coordinates corresponding to the touching operation coordinates at a timing when a touching operation part of the player leaves the touch screen as the input coordinates.
 12. The game system as defined in claim 1, wherein the processor performs identification display of the virtual touch area in the touch screen.
 13. A processing method comprising: performing a setting process of setting a virtual touch area that is arranged within a touch screen as an area smaller than the touch screen; performing a reception process of receiving coordinates of a touching operation on the touch screen as touching operation coordinates when the touching operation is performed by a player on the touch screen; determining that the touching operation is performed within the virtual touch area; performing a virtual touch area converting process of converting the touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch area to mapping coordinates on the touch screen, the mapping coordinates being located outside of the virtual touch area; performing an input process of setting the mapping coordinates as input coordinates; performing a game process based on the input coordinates; and automatically switching, in response to a predetermined in-game event of the game process occurring, between (1) a virtual input mode in which the virtual touch area converting process is performed when the touching operation is performed within the virtual touch area, and (2) a normal input mode in which the virtual touch area converting process is not performed regardless of a location of the touching operation on the touch screen.
 14. A computer-readable non-transitory information storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute steps comprising: performing a setting process of setting a virtual touch area that is arranged within a touch screen as an area smaller than the touch screen; performing a reception process of receiving coordinates of a touching operation on the touch screen as touching operation coordinates when the touching operation is performed by a player on the touch screen; determining that the touching operation is performed within the virtual touch area; performing a virtual touch area converting process of converting the touching operation coordinates in the virtual touch area to mapping coordinates on the touch screen, the mapping coordinates being located outside of the virtual touch area; performing an input process of setting the mapping coordinates as input coordinates; performing a game process based on the input coordinates; and automatically switching, in response to a predetermined in-game event of the game process occurring, between (1) a virtual input mode in which the virtual touch area converting process is performed when the touching operation is performed within the virtual touch area, and (2) a normal input mode in which the virtual touch area converting process is not performed regardless of a location of the touching operation on the touch screen. 